Thursday, May 26, 2011

A THIN LINE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH

Life is separated only by a thin line with death. Thats how fragile life is. Each of us do have a choice - to live the life that we want or to live the life of others. But how often and how many of us truly live a life in its true sense?

When I first started running, I ran around the Kwantung cemetary in Old Airport Road where the Warisan Jogathon is being held every year. It all started because of the severe headache and the Australian doctor whom I met during my one term assignment with Club Med Cherating recommended that perhaps I should take up an exercise on a regular basis.

Since then, there is no looking back.

And in 2006, I was introduced to the Kuala Lumpur Association of Veteran Athletes. A year later, I was nominated as the Honorary Secretary for 2 terms. It was during this short time that I began running more regularly either running in road races or on the ground meeting members and suporting them.

It was in one of the Master's meet at Stadium MSN, Bukit Jalil that I met many other veteran athletes around Asia including Chin Ah Lan @ Jacinta.

Since then, she never failed to walk up to me and greet me at all road races and other veteran meets. In her 60s, she is still very active taking part in many road races. Tho running in slow pace, she is a very consistent runner. She is also a regular face volunteering in many road races organised by Pacesetter.

Last week, she had a fall and fainted at her home. A while later after recovering, she managed to call a friend to drive her to the clinic and immediately being referred to Hospital UKM, Cheras. She later slipped into coma.

Yesterday she was operated on and was warded at the ICU still in critical condition. This morning, she was transferred to the surgical ward but still unconcious.

I visited her this afternoon. There is a small tube attached into that tiny little hole on the right of her head to allow some kind of fluid flowing into a tiny pocket by the pillow and another tube on her neck. She is also on drip as her body temperature has been running high.

Doctor could not confirm anything now but her future to live her normal life could be bleak and uncertain. And there is medical bill to take care. I met her younger sister, Judith with her son at her bedside caring for her. The rest of the siblings live in other states.